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Teeth Whitening

Whitening: 5 Things to Know Before Getting a Brighter Smile

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One of the first things that people notice about you is your smile. In today’s youth-obsessed culture, a twenty-something with dingy teeth can appear older than a forty-something with a bright, white, sparkling smile. Here are five things to keep in mind as you embark on your tooth whitening journey to the gleaming smile you’ve always dreamed of:

1. Not all Whiteners are Created Equal. There are different strengths and even different whitening agents used depending on the way they are delivered. An at-home strip from the drugstore will have a lower concentration of active ingredients because it’s an over-the-counter product versus the dentist-made custom trays you use at home with their prescription-strength whitener. Even that whitener isn’t as concentrated as the chairside in-office treatments available on the market today.

2. Those Strips Aren’t for Everyone. Speaking of at-home strips, they may not be the most effective choice to whiten your teeth. They work best for people with straight teeth because they are designed to lay flat across your tooth surface. If you have misaligned or crooked teeth, the strip sometimes can’t get to all the nooks and crannies of the tooth, leaving some areas lighter than others giving you an uneven look.

3. Sensitivity Issues. A common side effect of whitening is tooth sensitivity. This happens because the gel contains an agent that opens the tubules, or pores, of the teeth allowing the whitening agent to do its thing. It usually subsides after a few hours but can last longer or feel more severe if you’ve left the whitening gel on too long. Desensitizing toothpaste can help relieve the sensitivity and avoiding hot or ice-cold food and drinks until the sensitivity subsides can help.

4. It’s Not Permanent. Generally speaking, you’ll need the occasional touch-up to keep that dazzling smile bright. Some methods last longer than others, and there are ways to keep your smile whiter, longer. Limit or avoid staining food and drinks like wine, juices, coffee, tea, smoking and chewing tobacco, especially for several hours after whitening. This will help increase the time between touch-ups. Of course, if that latte is calling your name, why fight it?

5. Natural tooth shades vary. It’s important to remember that there are several contributing factors to a person’s tooth color including age, the thickness of the enamel and shade of the dentin which lies under the enamel. The dentin makes up the bulk of a tooth’s structure, and can range in shade from brown, tan, yellow, and gray, and may not lighten to that ultra-white Hollywood smile even with the most potent in-office treatments. Other factors that might prevent a tooth from lightening are fluorosis spots, the gray cast of a silver filling or a nerve that has died. These generally require a deep, internal bleaching on a tooth-by-tooth basis or a more general, permanent restoration like veneers or crowns.

Our team can answer any questions you may have, and together, armed with this knowledge, we can help you find the method of whitening that fits not only your lifestyle but also your budget. Give us a call today!

Cosmetic Dentistry

Two Weeks To A New Smile?

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Your smile sends messages to everyone you meet. Studies show that your teeth are the main physical characteristic that people notice first, and a friendly smile sets the tone for every relationship in your personal and business life. If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, dental veneers may offer a significant change you automatically share with everyone around you.

What are veneers?

Veneers provide the ultimate lift to a smile and offer a quick solution to many challenges that frustrate people of all ages. After we collaborate to plan your smile, ultra-thin pieces of porcelain are crafted by experienced technicians. Within a few days, your new smile is ready to share with the world… 24/7.

Today’s porcelain mimics a perfect layer of enamel, enhancing the color, shape, length, and texture of your teeth. Cracks and chips disappear, and years of wear and discoloration melt away. The ability to enjoy a stunning smile with durable, natural material has never been easier.

Dental Veneers are:

  • Ultra-thin: Blend into your smile
  • Strong: Replicate natural enamel
  • Beautiful: Ideal color and shape
  • Conservative: Preserve the healthy parts of your teeth
  • Life-changing: The smile you deserve brought to life

Are Veneers Right For Me?

Everyone benefits from a healthy, radiant smile. Studies show that people who smile are considered more trustworthy, friendly, and kind. If you’re pleased with your smile, you feel more confident and content.

If you look in the mirror and see any of the following problems, dental veneers may be right for you:

  • Chipped, broken bite edges
  • Yellowing, staining, or discolored spots
  • Crooked, rotated, or overlapping teeth
  • Narrow or short teeth
  • A smile you just find embarrassing

Dental veneers offer one of the most effective ways to transform a list of problems into a brilliant asset you’ll enjoy every day for the rest of your life. Sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics,” veneers leave our patients amazed at how quickly they’ve improved their lives.

If veneers aren’t the best way to create your new smile, we can explore other innovative solutions to deliver the result you want with cosmetic dentistry. Our patients have found ways to uncover the smile of their dreams they never knew were possible.

How Can Veneers Help Me?

Your smile matters. In fact, it’s one of the most significant characteristics you possess. Studies consistently show positive effects on the following:

Self-esteem: When you’re happy with the appearance of your teeth, you smile more. When you smile more, your brain produces serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for reduced stress and feelings of happiness.

Success: No matter how you measure it, many studies have connected a nice smile with richer rewards. Smiling salespeople produce more sales and enjoy more career success, and those who smile also appreciate better relationships and are considered more trustworthy.

Influence: Your smile directly influences the feelings of others, adding to their wellness. People shown pictures of smiles and told to frown while looking at them struggle to suppress their own smile! You can change the mood of a room with a grin.

Your Smile Solution

Dental veneers provide benefits far beyond your teeth. By transforming the appearance of your smile with today’s natural porcelains, Our Dentist in Las Vegas can help you elevate the quality of your life inside and out. Veneers have given many people an advantage in their careers and social lives while boosting their sense of wellbeing.

Don’t you deserve to explore what cosmetic dentistry can do for you? Feel free to come in, bring your questions, and we’ll help you find your smile solution!

Research suggests that this virus replicates better at a temperature a few degrees below the body’s core temperature.
Cavities, Decay Prevention, Oral Health

Goodbye Cavities?

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With winter upon us, the common cold shows us why it’s aptly named. Rhinoviruses, responsible for many episodes of congestion, coughs, and sore throats, transmit through the population during every season. But research suggests that this virus replicates better at a temperature a few degrees below the body’s core temperature. Plus, people tend to share closer spaces inside during colder weather. Cozy areas make virus transmission easier.

Many people are surprised to learn that tooth decay is the next most common disease afflicting the population. The bacteria that cause cavities thrive in the mouth, but babies aren’t born with them. They’re an infection that’s often passed from mothers or caregivers once teeth start to appear. Since 92% of adults report at least one cavity, dental fillings are familiar to just about everyone.

What If…

Exciting new research suggests that the way we repair teeth damaged from cavities could change in the years ahead. Consider this:

A British team discovered that aspirin enhances the function of stem cells found inside teeth.
  • A British team discovered that aspirin enhances the function of stem cells found inside teeth. They found that low-dose aspirin significantly increased the expression of genes that help form dentin, the primary tooth structure usually damaged by decay. This influence helps the tooth create new structure to repair damaged portions.
  • Another research team found that a particular chemical could cause cells to heal small holes in mice teeth. Researchers placed a biodegradable sponge soaked in the drug inside the cavity. This step led to complete, natural repair of the damaged area!
  • Another study demonstrated that a small electrical current could be used to draw new minerals into teeth, producing a stronger outer layer that’s more resistant to bacterial acid.

A vaccine to prevent cavities has been explored for over 40 years. In 1972, a British team reported they were testing one on mice, but fundamental challenges remain today. In the meantime, a host of new materials that mimic natural tooth structure allow us to restore damaged teeth and create healthy smiles. Scientists continue to produce advanced porcelains and resins that can be securely bonded into place. Sometimes the most trained eye can’t discern where the tooth ends, and the filling begins!

Solutions For Every Scenario

When enough damage leads to tooth loss, dental implants offer the ultimate solution for optimal function and confident smiling.

When enough damage leads to tooth loss, dental implants offer the ultimate solution for optimal function and confident smiling. Precise 3D imaging and advanced implant components set the foundation for predictable results. Whether replacing single teeth or securing loose dentures, implants can be life-changing!

In our evolving world, dental research continues to enhance the lives of our patients. We follow and evaluate advancements in dentistry, then choose those that serve you best. We’re here to be a resource for you and your family, so feel free to contact your team at Sandquist Dentistry with any questions we can help you explore!

A healthy mouth adds value to our years
Dental Health

7 Signs Your Smile Needs Help

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In 1952, a university research project examined baseball cards of Major League players. The researchers found that a player’s smile suggested how long he’d live. Players who didn’t smile in their photos lived an average of nearly 73 years, while smiling players lived an average of almost 80 years!

A healthy mouth adds value to our years, enhances our relationships, and bolsters our confidence. Keep an eye out for anything that detracts from your smile and compromises optimal dental health. The following signs could suggest that something isn’t quite right: 

These signs could suggest that something isn’t quite right.

1. Short, thin front teeth. After age 30, teeth wear about 1 millimeter per decade. This change may progress at a slower rate and tends to go unnoticed. If your teeth seem thinner or shorter than they should be, it’s time to find out why. Night or day teeth-grinding abrades precious enamel, and some acidic foods and drinks can erode the mineralized surface. One thing’s certain: When enamel disappears, it doesn’t grow back. If the damage is already done, we can help you explore ways to restore your smile.

2. Dull, yellow teeth. Enamel soaks up dark pigments found in coffee, tea, wine, chocolate, and more. Professional whitening removes these embedded color compounds without damaging your teeth. Our quality gel lifts years from your smile’s appearance and provides a quick confidence boost. We only choose formulas designed for maximum effectiveness and safety.

3. Dark shadows between teeth. If you notice dark shadows between your front teeth, it’s time for a professional to take a look. Dark shadows often suggest a growing cavity, and they don’t usually hurt until they reach the deepest part of the tooth. Cavities develop as acid attacks enamel and break it down. Tooth-colored restorative products can repair your teeth, enhance their beauty, and preserve their function.

4. Red, swollen gums. Healthy gums look pink with a light orange-peel texture, and they don’t bleed. When harmful bacteria aren’t properly cleaned away, they provoke an inflammatory reaction from the immune system. The swelling and bleeding could indicate that you’re starting to lose the bone around your teeth. Our hygiene team has a personalized strategy to help you control gum disease.

If you see any of these clues or have other concerns, a visit with our team can help you protect your smile!

5. Crooked or spaced teeth. Straight teeth look pleasant to the eye and help your bite function the way it’s supposed to. Even small gaps become food traps, and crowded teeth are difficult to keep clean. Fortunately, invisible or wireless straightening options make orthodontics easier than ever.

6. One gray tooth. If you look at your smile and see one dark tooth, it needs an exam. A tooth that experienced trauma years ago may feel fine. But if it’s darker than the surrounding neighbors, it usually means that the nerve is dead with a low-grade infection in your jaw. We can evaluate the tooth, eliminate the bacteria, and correct the color.

7. Bad breath. This problem isn’t a visual one, but it does reflect something about the health of your smile. Gases produced by oral bacteria are responsible for most cases of bad breath, although other possible causes should be explored with your dentist or physician. Sometimes the odor comes from a mouth infection, such as gum disease or an abscessed tooth. If everything checks out, our hygienist can help you eliminate the odor with a few simple modifications to your daily routine.

Dental health is all about feeling well and looking terrific. While most problems in our mouths develop slowly, they often reach a critical stage over time. If you see any of these clues or have other concerns, a visit with the team at Sandquist Dentistry can help you protect your smile!

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